You can argue all day about the importance of a quality keyboard for gaming, but no one argues about the importance of a quality gaming mouse. Every PC gamer may not agree on a single mouse, but they all agree a quality gaming mouse is a must. SteelSeries' new Rival was designed in partner with some of the best Pro-gamers to create a great mouse, not just a good one.

The SteelSeries Rival was built for speed, consistency, and durability. It has a 30 million click lifespan, 6200 CPI (Counts per Inch), and can keep up with a speed of 200 inches per second. The design of the mouse is modeled after SteelSeries' best-selling Ikari, and comes packing an anti-sweat coating, rubber side grips, and is ergonomically modeled for right-handed users. It's not all about the mouse as you need solid software to back it up to back it up too.

The Rival works with the SteelSeries Engine 3 software that includes technology just for gamers. The Engine 3 software will also allow full customization of the 6 programmable buttons, illumination colors (16.8 million colors), and macros. SteelSeries ExactAim allows the user to slow down, focus and aim. SteelSeries ExactSens controls the levels of sensitivity. SteelSeries ExactAccel controls how quickly the mouse accelerates from one point to another.

The best part of this mouse is the amazing price tag of only $59.99 US MSRP. Quality of this level usually pushes the price of a mouse much higher. The SteelSeries Rival is available now for pre-order. Once released, I am sure you can expect to see this mouse at all the usual suspects.

Full Press Release »

STEELSERIES INTRODUCES THE RIVAL OPTICAL GAMING MOUSE

Oct. 23, 2013 – SteelSeries, the leading global innovator of gaming peripherals, today introduced the Rival Optical Gaming Mouse. The Rival delivers unparalleled technology through an advanced optical sensor for deadly precision, along with our new proprietary switches that provide speed, consistency and durability across a 30 million-click lifespan. Rival’s ergonomic right-hand design features an advanced anti-sweat coating and rubber side grips to deliver optimal texture, feel, and comfort. On top of all this great technology, the Rival offers multiple levels of customization ranging from 16.8 million color illumination options, to SteelSeries ExactTech settings all of which are powered by the new SteelSeries Engine 3 software.

“We’ve named our newest optical gaming mouse the Rival, because we believe that it meets and surpasses every other optical mouse in its price bracket on the market,” said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. “The new ergonomic shape and state of the art hardware deliver unmatched levels of precision, comfort and durability. Combining this level of hardware with new SteelSeries Engine 3 software, users will find an entirely new customization experience that redefines how a mouse can be configured.”

Optimized Precision & Performance

The SteelSeries Rival boasts a modern, optical sensor that delivers precise tracking at any speed. Users will find benefit in the level of precision and detail that can be configured on the Rival’s hardware including resolution settings that can reach up to 6500 counts per inch (CPI) and down to one millisecond of customizable response time -- that equals zero lag time. The sensor delivers zero acceleration and the ability to reach movement speeds of up to 200 inches per second at 50g of acceleration.

Delivering a professional-grade peripheral expands beyond the technology of the hardware and into the durability of its parts. The Rival is equipped with switches, engineered by SteelSeries to not only remain consistent in every click, but to provide an optimal response and feel based on extensive testing from professional gamers. The SteelSeries switches also run a lifespan of over 30 million clicks -- more than any other gaming mouse on the market. The mouse also is dressed with PTFE material feet for a consistent and optimal glide across all surface types.

Ergonomic Comfort

The SteelSeries Rival Optical mouse brings users a new ergonomic, right-handed profile that is reminiscent of the SteelSeries award-winning Ikari mouse. The design behind the SteelSeries Rival combines a unique shape for comfort, injected rubber grips and a rubberized, anti-sweat coating. Its 6 programmable, ergonomically placed buttons can be quickly located.

Maximum Personalization

Moving beyond the hardware and design of the Rival, users will find an abundant amount of benefits in the customizable features and a fully personalized experience that SteelSeries Engine 3 delivers. The downloadable software suite has a consistently quick and easy start-up, operating using very little CPU and RAM resources – meaning that its been designed so that while the software is running it does not slow down and affect the users game and computer performance.

The Rival also allows one profile to be directly saved on the mouse, while SteelSeries Engine 3 allows for unlimited profiles to be created, assigned and stored directly on the computer. The software provides users with the ability to visually adjust their settings from advanced macros to sensitivity and even advanced features like cross-device macros and SteelSeries’ ExactTech. These ExactTech mouse settings included:

SteelSeries ExactAim – allows the user to slow down, focus and aim

SteelSeries ExactSens - controls the levels of sensitivity

SteelSeries ExactAccel – how quickly the mouse accelerates from one point to another

The Rival also equips users with options for setting color and effects. With a choice of 16.8 million colors for two independent illuminated zones, users can assign colors and illumination modes to profiles. These color illumination modes include steady color, different speeds of pulsation, as well as ColorShift, which will rotate through a rainbow of different preset colors.

The Rival takes customization one-step further with a 3D rubber nameplate that resides on the backside of the mouse. Shipping with two interchangeable options – “SteelSeries” and “Rival” - SteelSeries is also working on a partnership with a 3D printing company to allow Rival owners the option of creating their own customized nameplates.

The SteelSeries Rival Optical Mouse is $59.99 / €59.99 MSRP and will be available for pre-order starting today. For more details about SteelSeries’ newest optical gaming mouse, please visit http://steelseries.com/rival. Be sure to follow SteelSeries on Facebook and Twitter for the latest in product news and contests.

About The Author

Born and raised in south Mississippi, I grew up with Japanese anime, southern values, and creole food. A cultural mix that gives me a unique and occasionally odd viewpoint. I have been in love with computers for decades and hope to share that love with you.